and Lamarr Houston. Acho became a starting outside linebacker for the last nine games of the regular season after Willie Young and Leonard Floyd both suffered injuries and were placed on injured reserve. On December 10, 2017, he collected a season-high five combined tackles during a 33–7 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the 2017 season with 45 combined tackles (29 solo), three sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble in 16 games and 12 starts. Pro Football Focus gave Acho an overall grade of 59.8, which ranked 88th among all edge rushers. 2018 On January 1, 2018, the Bears fired head coach John Fox after they finished the 2017 season with a 5–11 record. Head coach Matt Nagy opted to retain Vic Fangio as the Bears' defensive coordinator. On March 14, 2018, the Chicago Bears signed Acho to a two-year, $5.50 million contract with $2.95 million guaranteed and signing bonus $500,000. On October 8, 2018, Acho was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. On March 5, 2019, the Bears released Acho, ending his 51-game, 25-start tenure with 140 total tackles (17 on special teams), four sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Buffalo Bills On August 11, 2019, Acho was signed by the Buffalo Bills. He was released on August 31, 2019. Tampa Bay Buccaneers On November 5, 2019, Acho signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting him with former coach Bruce Arians. Off the field activities NFL Players Association representative for the Chicago Bears (2018) Vice President, Executive Committee, NFL Player's Association (2018) Awards In college, Acho won the William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to college football's top scholar-athlete, as well as the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for outstanding community service, He was a finalist for the Lott Trophy, which is an award focused on character. During his senior year, the Sporting News named Acho one of the 20 smartest athletes in sports, a list that included two other college players and 17 professionals from the four major American sports. In 2012, Acho was named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. During his NFL rookie year, Bleacher Report rated Acho one of the 10 smartest players in the NFL. Early in the 2017 season, one publication named Acho one of the 6 NFL players with a "genius IQ." Personal